Those delivery men exchanged puzzled glances.Debra explained, "I'm in business, just like my husband. The lady beside me also works in the beauty industry. To put it simply, we're looking to make quick money through some side ventures in the business.""You mean...""I've heard that arcades are doing very well these days. Several of my friends have invested, and they're making tens of millions every month. I'm interested too, but I've been struggling to find a way in. If it's just about investing, the shares in those arcades are all taken up already. So, I'm thinking of starting my own."She glanced at the machines in the box and added, "I know these machines are from Orkgate. I don't want to beat around the bush. If you guys can get me some genuine arcade machines, I promise the reward I give will be more than this."Liza realized what was going on and was not happy. They were supposed to have beauty programs rather than talk about some shitty business, especially not one relate
"So what?" Liza said, hands on her hips. "I'm the daughter of the Eaton family. What can he do to me?"With a word from her father, Drake has to bow and scrape in front of her.Debra face-palmed. 'Liza has no idea how dangerous the world could be outside her sheltered life.'"Society isn't as simple as you think," she said. "This place is not your turf. Drake could easily harm you here.""He wouldn't dare.""Why not?""Because of my dad.""He is not here."Liza thought for a moment. "Anyway, he wouldn't act against me. If he did, my dad and brother would not let him off."Knowing how stubborn Liza was, Debra didn't advise her further. As long as Liza stayed with her, Drake probably wouldn't act.Before long, the humming sound of an engine came from outside.Debra checked the time. Only ten minutes had passed since that call.Drake was faster than she had expected. His car screeched to a halt, and he stepped out."Where's Kale?"Drake and Kale were usually inseparable."H
Drake was frustrated, raising his hands in surrender. "Alright, I won't argue with you. I'll check the machine first."He walked over to that unboxed machine and examined it briefly."It's genuine.""You sure?""Yep," Drake confirmed, getting up. "Where did you buy it from?"Debra looked at him warily. "What are you planning to do?""What else? To find out who's behind this."Debra let out a sigh of relief. Drake noticed her reaction and frowned."What did you think I was going to do? You thought I was going to kill someone?""You've probably killed so many people in the past that you can't even count them. Should I not be worried?"Drake pointed at her, speechless. In the end, he sighed in frustration. "You're unbelievable.""Are we done yet? When can we start the program? I'm getting tired," Liza complained.Debra glanced at her and turned back to Drake, "Your salons are quite popular. Why don't you take Miss Eaton to try it out?""No, forget it," Liza refused, unwilling
Drake scoffed, "Who else could you ask? In Seamar City, I'm the only one daring to act.""Says who? Marion can do it," Debra retorted.Drake sneered at her proud expression. "You'd let him take the risk?""No. You're the best candidate."Drake felt bitter. "When would you get good things for me?""This is a good thing. I've helped find a..." She paused, noticing his cold gaze. "A clue to who's been framing you."Drake scoffed, "Weren't you so capable before? In the end, you've only found a tiny clue.""Well, I'm better than someone who hasn't found anything.""What the...""Alright, I've found a lead for you. You just need to catch and interrogate them. Marion can't handle such concrete work where you excel in."Drake nodded reluctantly. "But I have a condition.""Go ahead.""If the police catch me again at the docks, I'll be kissing Seamar City goodbye. Forget the bet and consider me lost. I can afford ten million dollars.""Leave as you like. It's your reputation on the
Barton bolted downstairs.Debra walked into the room and saw a team of doctors crowded around Andrew's bed, trying to resuscitate him.Andrew's consciousness seemed hazy. Debra's gaze fell on a pill in one doctor's hand. The group was urgently discussing something.She stepped forward and asked, "What's that pill? You said it could save him. So, why aren't you using it?"The doctors exchanged glances but stayed silent. Just then, Barton returned, pulling William into the room."That pill works, but Mr. Andrew Potter refuses to take it.""Why not? Does it have side effects?""No.""Is it not for his disease?""Yes.""Then why isn't he taking it?"Debra sighed, moving to push the pill into Andrew's mouth.Andrew's eyes suddenly fluttered open. Despite his weakened state, he managed to catch her wrist.His voice was barely audible as he whispered, "Debra, put it down."Debra froze, leaning closer to him. "What?""Put it down." His eyes had regained their clarity, and his to
Barton glanced at Debra, then quickly looked away. "Anyway, this has nothing to do with Ms. Buchan.""Come on, stop covering for him," William said. "If he weren't head over heels for her, why would he treasure those pills she gave him? Did you see how reluctant he was to take them just now?"Before William could spiral further into speculation, Barton dragged him aside. "What nonsense are you spouting in front of Mrs. Houston? Ruining Mr. Potter's reputation. You're in it for trouble."William turned pale and clamped his mouth shut. He wondered if he had inadvertently spilled anything. He resolved to keep quiet from now on.Debra watched their interactions, her suspicion growing.That evening, she found herself lingering outside Andrew's bedroom. She peeked through the doorway, hesitating when a sudden noise echoed from inside.Alarmed, she pushed the door open to find Andrew sprawled on the floor. His face was pale, his forehead damp with sweat."Why did you get out of bed?" S
"From someone important?" Andrew muttered."William said they were from Ms. Buchan," Debra explained.Andrew looked away. "The medicine might be valuable, but I won't take anything from her."Just then, Barton entered with a bowl of oatmeal. Realizing they were talking, he decided to leave for now. "It's okay. I'm done here," Debra said, turning back to Andrew. "Take a good rest. I'll see you around."Andrew remained silent. After Debra left, Barton closed the door."Sir, the medicine is fine. William checked it, saying he could replicate it," Barton said."No need," Andrew said, tossing the pill into the trash. "In the future, don't show me anything from Theda.""But she meant well.""You know her aim."Barton fell silent, and Andrew added firmly, "My decisions are final. Even if I'm on my deathbed, no one else calls the shots.""Understood, sir," Barton said, bowing his head.Accepting Theda's medicine meant siding with her. Rejecting it meant having no way out.She was
Erica revealed, "Actually, Andrew didn't even pay attention to the gossip in Wrastow City."Debra was disappointed. She had been expecting drama."You don't know, but this thing spread all over Wrastow City; even people here in Seamar City heard about it. The thing is, Andrew hardly leaves the house, and he doesn't like reading the news. Even though the Potter family controls intelligence, he couldn't care less about all this gossip. Later, I don't know how it happened, but the story just grew bigger and bigger."Erica paused, clicking her tongue. "A few years ago, Ms. Buchan came to Seamar City and stayed for two days. She came to find Andrew, and they exchanged a few casual pleasantries, the sort we do at dinner parties. Some reporters saw and hyped it. Then rumors spread without Andrew even knowing.""So, nothing was going on between them?""Exactly. I thought I'd finally get to see him fall in love, but in the end, nothing happened. The love story I was expecting ended before
"You hurt Debra twice. You think I'll just let that slide?" Marion bellowed, firing a shot.Fermin didn't dodge, and the bullet tore through his left shoulder. Blood splattered instantly."Marion." Debra was taken aback.The air in the room became even more tense."Fermin!" Liza rushed over.Panic spread across her face when she saw Fermin's bleeding shoulder.Fermin endured the pain and forced a smile."Don't blame me anymore, right?""I..." His men moved quickly, as if they had expected this all along. They immediately stepped forward to treat his wound."I still owe you a stab. We can settle that too," he said."No." Liza shielded him with her body. "If you need to stab someone, stab me. I'll pay it back for him."Debra hadn't come for revenge. She glanced at Fermin, who remained nonchalant as his wound was being treated.His mental fortitude was sick."This has nothing to do with you," Fermin said. "Go back.""No. I can't let them hurt you again.""Don't worry. Th
"I'll take that as a compliment," Fermin said, his fingers tapping the wine glass on the table. "Actually, I want to make a deal with you guys.""Oh? What kind of deal?" Debra asked.Fermin set his wine glass down. "I want you to hand over Drake."Debra was taken aback, and he continued, "I've heard that when you were in Orkgate, Drake made things difficult for you. If I'm right, you two must only have animosity between you. Handing him over shouldn't be a problem for you, right?""That was a long time ago," Debra replied, stressing her tone. "Speaking of which, we used to sit together, discussing how to deal with Jeffery. Your pajamas were left behind in the Potter Mansion. Ring a bell?"Fermin's smile faded, and his eyes glinted with coldness.The wound on her shoulder still ached, but Debra kept her composure, trying not to show any fear in front of Fermin.She couldn't figure out what he was thinking. But Andrew had once said, the game between archrivals was like this.Mome
"It came from Fermin." Marion handed her an invitation.The black-and-gold card was simple, with only the time and place written on it.Debra had seen Garland's handwriting before, but she never expected Fermin and Garland, both being in the same body, would have such wildly different styles."He wants to meet us at this estate tonight?" Debra was skeptical. "Do you think it could be a trap?""Don't worry. Even if it is, we've got people ready to handle it," Marion reassured her.Unlike Garland, Fermin had zero credibility with them. They needed to be fully prepared.Debra nodded. "Let's go then. I have a lot to discuss with him."...In the evening, a black Maybach pulled up outside the Bernard Mansion.It was sent by Fermin. The invitation and the pickup clearly showed he had been watching them since they arrived overseas.Debra and Marion got in the car, with a dozen stretched Lincolns tailing them.Then a hundred or so guards could deal with all kinds of difficult situat
The stern expression on Fermin's face scared Liza.He flicked her forehead and said, "The Illuminati has nothing to do with you. Forget whatever you heard and don't mention it ever again.""Are you involved with them or not?" She grabbed his sleeve and whined, "If you don't tell me, I won't be able to sleep. And if I can't sleep, I'll bug you until you spill.""Silly girl," Fermin sighed, leading her into the estate. "The Illuminati is just a stepping stone for me. With its support, we'll be free from worries. The decade-long problem will also..."His voice trailed off, and Liza didn't catch the last part."What are you talking about? Our family is loaded and respected," she said, puzzled. "What problem could we possibly have?"Fermin didn't want to continue with that topic. "Alright, you've asked enough questions today. The hot bath is ready. Go relax and get some sleep. While you're here with me, you can go anywhere you want, but you can't contact Debra and her people.""Fermi
"Wait a little longer. No peeking," Fermin said, covering her eyes as he led Liza forward.Liza frowned. "Are we there yet?""Yes." Fermin moved his hands away.Liza opened her eyes and took in the full view of the manor.She had once wanted to move out and picked out a manor. Sadly, it had been owned by someone else, and Bert wouldn't let her live outside.Now the beautiful landscaping and warm lights were right in front of her. It felt unreal."Did you buy this manor?""Do you like it? This is the one you loved most. I've always remembered.""But that owner refused to sell it."She had secretly asked several times before, but even her identity as an Eaton couldn't get her a deal.Fermin shrugged. "I have my ways. Anything you like, I'll get them for you."Liza faltered, "Did you..."Fermin smiled, "Of course not. I'm a reasonable person."Still, Liza felt uneasy.In the past, if Fermin had bought her a manor like this, she would have thought it was just him being kind t
Debra took off her jacket, revealing the scar on her shoulder.William examined it. "You've healed pretty well.""Marion said the same thing," she replied."You can get surgery this year. The scar removal process is standard. Given how severe the injury was, it's a bit hard for it to be as good as new. Maybe a faint mark will be left.""Alright."As William packed up his medical kit, Debra asked, "Did you come here specifically today?""No, I arrived last night." William paused, quickly correcting himself, "I took a flight and stayed at the hotel.""Okay.""Why do you ask?""You didn't bring a suitcase, so I figured you didn't just get here today.""Perceptive."But then, he felt like Debra had been testing him.Sure enough, everyone from Seamar City seemed to have so many tricks up their sleeves.Debra pressed, "Did you meet Andrew?"William groaned inwardly but acted calm on the surface. "Not really."The room fell silent.Debra's steady gaze made him shift uncomforta
Debra knew that their enemies would come after them sooner or later and that Marion was just trying to comfort her.They needed to grow stronger by then. Or they'd just be at the mercy of others.Marion took Debra's hand in his, his fingers laced with hers."Don't worry. No matter what happens, I will be by your side," he said."I know." She nodded.Suddenly, a coughing sound reached their ears. They turned to see William standing in the doorway.He awkwardly waved at them. "The door wasn't closed, so..."Debra was stunned. "How did you get in?""I'm a regular here, so they let me in. Besides, today's your consultation day. No one would stop me," William replied as he walked in.Debra frowned at the sight of a big medical kit he was carrying. "My injury's almost healed.""You still need a checkup. Also, didn't you mention wanting that scar removal surgery? I need to see how it's healing."Yesterday, Debra had casually mentioned it, and Marion had taken it seriously."I di
Before Debra could respond, Erica's voice came through the phone."Debra, I'm not complaining, but this is getting unbearable. Please hurry back. Drake can't get out of bed. Jordan comes and goes like the wind. Theda is caught up in her own things. Oscar and Chace are gone. It's just the two of us, and we can't hold it together much longer."Debra was swayed. "I...""Three more days," Marion interrupted, "and we'll be right back."Marion took the phone and ended the call.Debra frowned. "The workload is too much. Ben can't handle it alone. Randy and Erica have their own companies to worry about. Three days might be too long.""I've sent someone to help them. We can't leave in the next three days.""Why not?""Fermin escaped."Debra was shocked by the news. The last time she saw Fermin was over a month ago. He had stabbed her and then disappeared."What happened?" she asked. "Why didn't you tell me about this before?"Marion hesitated. "Mr. Eaton Sr. called. They didn't want
It was late at night.Inside the church, soft light filtered through the colored glass, casting a shadow that stretched long and unnerving.Suddenly, footsteps echoed through the vast space. A young man dressed in a black robe and wearing a mask entered."Didn't get the job done, and you're still here to face me?" The bishop's voice was low and ominous.The young man was unfazed. "Debra and Marion are keeping Drake well protected. We had no chance to move. The Potter family guards escorted him the whole way from the airport. We couldn't act."The bishop paused, his fingers tightening around the ring in his hand."The Potter family?" he muttered, "Without Andrew leading them, they're just a bunch of misfits.""It's not so easy to remove Andrew," replied the young man. "Rumor has it that he was crippled in a kidnapping incident, but he's still walking. And another rumor said he was dying, but he's still kicking and alive.""The Four Great Families only have one person like that.